Bacillus Subtilis Supplement - Probiotic with Immunestimulant Properties

Bacillus subtilis is a probiotic supplement designed to improve the body’s natural defences and help fight infections and external aggressors. It has been studied for its presumed ability to combat problems with gut health.

It comes in the form of DRcaps™ to maximise its resistance to the stomach’s hostile conditions, even though its atypical form (bacterial spore) is already excellent at ensuring survival in harsh environments.

What exactly is the bacteria Bacillus subtilis? What benefits does it offer?

Bacillus subtilis is a harmless bacteria found in soil. Its changing, hostile environment has forced it to develop an unusual survival strategy: it is able to form spores resistant to extreme conditions of intense heat, dryness or radiation (1).

This ability makes it an excellent candidate for probiotic formulations. The vast majority of probiotics on the market contain bacteria from the genus Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, but increasingly, they are incorporating the Bacillus genus. These probiotics can be produced and stored in powder form for very long periods at room temperature. Unlike Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, they are also highly resistant to the stomach’s extreme acidity, ensuring maximum numbers of bacteria survive as far as the gut (2).

This is a real advantage as probiotics are normally very fragile and their efficacy depends precisely on how many viable bacteria reach the gut. This is essential in order for them to be able to (3-7):

• Enrich the composition of gut flora, especially in those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome.
• Regularise intestinal transit.
• Acidify the gut interior, thereby increasing peristalsis (the muscle contractions which allow the food bolus to progress into the gut).

Who is likely to be most interested in Bacillus subtilis?

There are two groups of people who might be interested in the properties of Bacillus subtilis: those with a weak immune system, and those who have experienced the following symptoms – usually after eating:

• recurrent stomach pains which are usually relieved by passing uncomfortable gas or stools;
• episodes of constipation or diarrhoea;
• frequent bloating;
• embarrassing gurgling;
• a feeling of heaviness in the stomach;
• an urgent need to open the bowels.

What is irritable bowel syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, is a common digestive disorder characterised by pain and discomfort in the gut. It’s thought to affect almost 20% of people in the West. It is not a disease but a dysfunction of the gut. The unpleasant symptoms are mainly related to the change in speed at which food passes into the large intestine (the colon).

When this happens too quickly, insufficient water is absorbed, causing discomfort and diarrhoea. Conversely, when it takes too long, the colon absorbs too much water, leading to constipation and painful stools. Whichever is the case, it has an impact on daily life.The causes of this dysfunction remain largely unknown, though the scientific community believes it may be linked to an upset in intestinal flora(11).

How should you take Bacillus subtilis?

From autumn through to the end of winter (a 6-month course) or for a 2-week period depending on the desired effect. See: How long should a course of probiotics last??

Unlike most probiotics, Bacillus subtilis can be stored at at room temperature. Bacterial spore-type probiotics are very resistant to higher temperatures.

Throughout the supplementation period, it’s also a good idea to follow the steps below:

• Increase your consumption of soluble fibre (barley, oats, psyllium, vegetables) while reducing that of insoluble fibre (wholewheat, berries, nuts and grains, pulses).
• Reduce your intake of fats which stimulate intestinal contractions.
• Avoid foods likely to cause bloating: those that ferment (dairy products), those that contain sweeteners (chewing gum) or fructose (apples, figs, dates).
• Reduce your consumption of alcohol, coffee and spices (pepper, cayenne pepper, chillies).
• Drink plenty of water every day.
• Don’t skip meals.
• Chew your food well, taking time to appreciate it.
• Avoid stressful situations as they have a disruptive effect on intestinal activity.
• If necessary, take other supplements targeted at the immune system Green Propolis, Ginseng 30% et Defense Mix.

Note: a probiotic is not intended to colonise the gut mucosa for very long. Some strains are able to develop there for a few hours, others for a few weeks (it all depends on how long the strain keeps working), but in general, the effects of probiotics cease quite soon after supplementation stops. However, this period of activity is for the most part sufficient to exert significant benefits.

1. Holt JG, Krieg NR, Sneath PHA, Staley J, Williams ST (2000) Ber-gey’s Manual of Determinative Microbiology, 9th edn, Lippincott Williams&Wilkins, Philadelphia
2. M. Cutting Bacillus probiotics, Food Microbiol., 28 (2011), pp. 214-220, 10.1016/j.fm.2010.03.007
3. T. Hoa, L.H. Duc, R. Isticato, L. Baccigalupi, E. Ricca, P.H. Van, S.M. Cutting, Fate and dissemination of Bacillus subtilis spores in a murine model Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 67 (2001), pp. 3819-3823, 10.1128/AEM.67.9.3819-3823.2001
4. Casula, S.M. Cutting, Bacillus probiotics: spore germination in the gastrointestinal tract, Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 68 (2002), pp. 2344-2352, 10.1128/AEM.68.5.2344-2352.2002
5. K.M. Tam, N.Q. Uyen, H.A. Hong, L.H. Duc, T.T. Hoa, C.R. Serra, A.O. Henriques, S.M. Cutting, The intestinal life cycle of Bacillus subtilis and close relatives, J. Bacteriol., 188 (2006), pp. 2692-2700, 10.1128/JB.188.7.2692-2700.2006
6. Dudonné, T.V. Varin, F.F. Anhê, P. Dubé, D. Roy, G. Pilon, A. Marette, E.M. Levy, C. Jacquot, M. Urdaci, et al. Modulatory effects of a cranberry extract co-supplementation with Bacillus subtilis CU1 probiotic on phenolic compounds bioavailability and gut microbiota composition in high-fat diet-fed mice, PharmaNutrition, 3 (2015), pp. 89-100, 10.1016/j.phanu.2015.04.002
7. Lefevre, S. Racedo, G. Ripert, B. Housez, M. Cazaubiel, C. Maudet, P. Jüsten, P. Marteau, M.C. Urdaci
8. Probiotic strain Bacillus subtilis CU1 stimulates immune system of elderly during common infectious disease period: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study, Immun. Ageing, 12 (2015), pp. 1-11, 10.1186/s12979-015-0051-y
9. Elshaghabee FMF, Rokana N, Gulhane RD, Sharma C, Panwar H (2017) Bacillus as potential probiotics: status, concerns, and fu-ture Front Microbiol8: 1490. http://doi:10.3389/fmicb.2017.01490
10. Tompkins et al., 2010. A comprehensive review of post-market clinical studies performed in adults with an Asian probiotic formulation, Benef. Microbes, 1 (2010), pp. 93-106, 10.3920/BM2008.1005
11. Quigley EM. Bacteria: a new player in gastrointestinal motility disorders--infections, bacterial overgrowth, and probiotics. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2007 Sep;36(3):735-48, xi. Review.